Alessandro Rocchi
In this review we talk about Orbital Blues, an exciting RPG in which we play space outlaws in a future rock ‘n’ roll that has never been.
Soul Muppet Publishing publishes the English edition of the product, while in Italy it was localized by Grumpy Bear, whom we thank for providing us with a copy to review. We recommend that you follow them on their official website and on their Facebook and Instagram pages to stay up to date on new products.
You can buy a physical copy of the manual (including PDF) at the official Soul Muppet Publishing store for 30 £.
Orbital Blues Structure and Art Review
Orbital Blues has a truly flawless aesthetic and artistic direction.
Texts and images come together in a combination that makes the product extremely readable. Every detail has been taken care of to give a feeling of the 80s and 90s that perfectly suits the themes presented.
Each page will immerse us in the atmosphere of the game. This is also achieved thanks to the decorations that frame the texts, the reasoned change of font for the titles and the courageous alternation between illustrations and photographs.
Another very positive aspect is the simplicity in writing, also highlighted by the excellent use of bold, box and underlining. Thanks to their careful and precise use, navigation in the text is simple and practical.
An Infinite Space Frontier
Orbital Blues is set in the Galactic Frontier, a vast space dotted with planets and varied environments where the law struggles to reach. Main inspirations are Cowboy Bebop, Guardians of the Galaxy and Firefly; this manual manages to capture the atmospheres of space-western perfectly.
The Frontier is an open setting and turns out to be suitable for hosting plots of various kinds. The main focus will obviously always be on the Intergalactic Outlaws (the PCs in Orbital Blues) and their difficulties in finding a place in this space. With these assumptions, freedom is maximum for the group; in fact, you can experience epic blows to interplanetary corporations, or stories of revenge, exciting hunts at dangerous sizes and more.
Keep in mind that the manual leaves plenty of room for the narrator and the group to personalize. There are basic concepts to follow, but everything else is free. An example is interstellar travel; the manual gives advice on how to handle it, but then it is left to the imagination of the players. In addition to this, we find many tables to randomly generate encounters, enemies, planets and much more. Narrators will hardly run out of ideas!
The Sutler System
The manual provides a complete pre-generated system that can be installed quickly.
This approach is perfect for starting an epic Orbital Blues campaign without having to spend too much time preparing. The Sutler system is located in a pocket of isolated space, where players can confront the first pitfalls of outlaw life.
We find a series of places detailed in detail, such as the Sutler space station, or Reno-12, the most important inhabited center in that area. Each place is presented with its own dedicated description and various points of interest. We also have an exhaustive list of NPCs, factions and other narrative details to bring into the game. I also appreciated the fact that the manual specifies the locations where each relevant NPC can be found.
The whole setting is made even more alive by the presence of objectives, duties and dreams of NPCs and factions; in some cases we are also told what can happen if subjected to certain events.
As an additional support for storytellers and players, we find useful incipits to create intriguing sessions (or even campaigns). This element also confirms the fact that the manual accompanies both experienced and novice players.
Orbital Blues Character Creation Review
The creation of Interstellar Outlaws is very quick, but not trivial.
So the first thing to do will be to decide on a concept, a name and a soundtrack, so as to define the identity of our Outlaw. The soundtrack has no mechanical components, but it is a very original detail and themed with the setting.
Once this is done, we will have to distribute a +2, a +1 and a 0 among the three basic stats:
- Muscles: It is used in all situations where physical strength is required.
- Grit: represents cold blood and the ability to keep nerves firm.
- Saavy: indicates competence in reasoning, remembering and thinking.
Next we have to assign a nickname to our Outlaw. The interesting part is that it will be chosen by our teammates (the other players), so as to strengthen the bond with the group. The manual offers us a list to choose from, full of inspired and appropriate options.
Then it will be time to calculate Heart and Blues. The first represents the health of the character and is linked to the Muscles score, while the second indicates the weight of his sins and remorse, and always starts from 0.
Finally, we will have to choose a weapon and a souvenir, that is, a special object for the Outlaw’s background; in both cases, we can consult a table or create it to our liking.
Trouble and Gambits
Two fundamental elements of the Orbital Blues regulation are the Troubles and the Blues.
The Troubles represent the regrets, sins and problems of the characters’ past. They are a narrative resource because they can be used during particular scenes and serve as motivation or danger for the characters. But they are also a mechanical resource because they generate Melancholy, and their total determines how many Azzardi have a PG; in fact, every 2 Troubles the Outlaw acquires a new Gambit.
Troubles can also be selected from those proposed, but they are generic enough so that a player can adapt them to their character. They are of various nature and range from regrets for having lost a love in trouble with large criminal organizations. In addition, everyone has questions inside to outline it in detail and the various ways to acquire Blues. Alternatively, they can also be built from scratch.
The Gambits, on the other hand, can be peculiar abilities, or special equipment or even tricks that the characters can use during adventures. You can choose them from a list, or create them very easily, and in any case they are interesting. For example, we can find a Gambit that allows you to have bonuses when using guns, or one that allows you to perform heartbeat maneuvers when piloting a vehicle. Otherwise, another very interesting one is the one that starts the game with more equipment.
In short, there are Gambits and Troubles of all tastes suitable for any player.
Orbital Blues System Review
During our adventures in the Galactic Frontier, we will be supported by a simple but impactful game system.
The basis is very simple: if the Outlaw is performing a complex action or with the risk of failing, then the player throws 2d6 and adds one of the three Stats (Muscles, Grit or Savvy). If the total is 8 or more the action is a success, otherwise it is a failure; this is called a Stats Test.
In particular situations you may have to roll withThe Upper Hand and Against the Odds. The first case occurs when the Outlaw is in a situation of advantage and for this they will roll 3d6 and then eliminate the die with the lowest result. While in the second case you always roll 3d6, but you take off the highest die because the circumstances are adverse.In particular situations you may have to roll withThe Upper Hand and Against the Odds. The first case occurs when the Outlaw is in a situation of advantage and for this they will roll 3d6 and then eliminate the die with the lowest result. While in the second case you always roll 3d6, but you take off the highest die because the circumstances are adverse.
In addition, characters can also Exertion, that is, spend Heart points to be able to collect as many dice as the points spent.
A peculiarity of the system is the Blues Check; they occur when the PC experiences great stress or has to resist a trauma. The mechanics work exactly as in the Stats Checks, the only difference is that the Liver is always added. If it is a Success, Blues accumulates, while if it is a failure, the value does not rise.
The Special Scenes
In Orbital Blues, there are special game scenes that the Outlaw can call.
For example, when your character’s Blues is at least 8, you can declare that you want to open a scene of Troubles Brewing. It is particular because the focus will be on a specific Outlaw (it is no coincidence that the associated soundtrack will also start) and on the Trouble that persecuted him at that time. During this scene, you can spend Blues instead of Heart to push yourself to the limit and all damage is halved. These mechanical variations are very interesting because they make the reckoning even more unique and epic, also thematically very immersive.
At the end of the scene, the character may have solved a Trouble or gained a new one, but in any case, he will grow and mature, increasing a Stat by 1 point; this is the only way to mechanically evolve the Character Stat and I appreciated that it was a method strongly inserted into the narrative.
Another very special scene is the Swan Song. A player can summon it when they think their Outlaw’s story has come to an end. In this scene he will give his all before he dies, helping his companions and performing epic actions with his personal soundtrack to accompany him in his final steps.
The presence of these scenes testifies that in Orbital Blues it is important that all players can actively influence the narrative, an element that is very well associated with the reference theme.
Orbital Blues Combat Review
In the manual, we find a system of rules to manage rapid but lethal clashes.
A peculiarity is that the Initiative is calculated through d3, to which we must add Brain. If melee weapons and firearms are present, those who use the latter must throw 2d3 and hold the worst to represent the fact that this type of weapon is more cumbersome. In case of advantageous or disadvantageous circumstances, 1 is added or subtracted from the value.
Attacking is a normal Stat Check, except for the fact that you will have to roll 3d6 and choose only 2 to add the Characteristic. If these exceed the difficulty of the target, the damage will be applied, which is represented by the die left out. In the event of a favourable situation, 4d6 will be pulled, removing the lowest, while in the event of adverse circumstances, the highest will be removed.
Finally, the regulation is also embellished by many other subsystems, such as those for attacking vehicles, healing our companions and also acting as a human shield to defend those we care about.
Vehicles
Another important component of the game are the vehicles, which in fact become real characters.
In fact, every vehicle, from the car used to speed through the dunes of a desert to the spaceship of the Outlaws, has its own Characteristics. There are three: Maneuverability, Systems and Body. They work in every way like those of a PG. During rehearsals, while piloting a vehicle, these will be used and not those of the character involved. In addition, during combat they will be reduced when the vehicle suffers damage; when they reach 0, it means that part of the vehicle is no longer usable. For example, if the Frame reaches 0, it means that the body of the ship cannot withstand any more blows.
Another interesting element is the Crew Equipment, which is generic equipment available for all characters. These types of equipment are many and very useful, including androids, drones, scanners, special monitors and much more. In short, there is everything that a fan of spaceships and science fiction could want.
Orbital Blues Review Conclusions
To conclude this review, I can say that Orbital Blues is a product to have in your library.
In fact, we find a very simple but not trivial system, enriched by a series of intelligent and thematic mechanics that increase its depth. In addition, everything is regularly built with a view to adapting perfectly to the themes and narrative genre towards which the experience aims.
All this is accompanied by an artistic sector and an extremely appealing aesthetic. And, like a icing on the cake, the writing (and therefore the translation from the original language) is impeccable.
So I highly recommend Orbital Blues to all space-western lovers and anyone who wants to discover this genre!
